South Africa's President Jacob Zuma on Sunday announced that the major route R24 in Johannesburg is renamed after the national struggle heroine Albertina Sisulu.

The Albertina Sisulu Highway is a major east-west regional route in Johannesburg, connecting the eastern end of the OR Tambo International Airport and the western end of Rustenburg.

Sisulu was an anti-apartheid fighter in South Africa, imprisoned several times during the struggle against the apartheid.

She was the only woman present at the birth of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League in 1944, and elected to the first democratic parliament in 1994 as the apartheid ended in the country.

"We dedicate this road to her and to the struggle veterans among us, who are still our constant source of inspiration," said President Zuma.

"The contribution and sacrifice that our veterans made to the achieved freedom and democracy is beyond measure," he added.

The South African government is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the new democracy next year. President Zuma said, "The official naming of this road is in line with the 20 years celebrations of freedom, the celebration to improve the quality of life and to boost the economy."

"Seeing Sisulu's name on the road should remind us of our responsibility to achieve what she fought for, a truly non-racial, united and prosperous South Africa," the president said.